WFP plumbing system questions

Waterfed Poles
1

I have a 100’ of 3/8 hose that connects to my WFP pole. I need to purchase another hose that connects to the water source thought. I went at Home Depot and saw 5/8" hose, 1/2" hose and 3/8" hose sizes. Now I have 2 questions:

  • is it better to stay 3/8" all the way (from the water source to my pole) or 5/8" switching to 3/8" does not make a difference?:confused:

  • I don’t want to buy a water pump to get enough pressure at the WFP brush. So what is the maximum length of water hose should get without loosing any pressure? i have 30’ for the pole + 100’ 3/8" hose already, but need another one… is another 100’ OK… for a total of 230’ of water line…:confused:

Thank you for this water plumbing question…

2

I use 5/8" garden hose for source to my RO/DI cart.

I’ve used 400’ of 3/8" supply hose to my pole (+40’ pole hose) pump-less at 30’ (I’ve forgotten the pressure, but it was higher than “normal.”)

3

but is the transition from a 5/8" hose going into a 3/8" hose gonna make a difference in pressure at the end ?

4

What type of system are you using for filtration?

5

I’m going to use the EZ Pure DI cartridge only.

6

It will be as if you we’re using 3/8" the whole way through, I always have 500 feet of 5/8" ready, even if I’m only using 100 feet of it. I always get decent pressure that I turn the main hose spicket down quite a bit.

7

Is it better to control the pressure before or after the RO?

8

Optimum pressure going in to an RO, I believe is 90 PSI big Lar. At least the ones that our industry uses. The outfit I rent my DI tanks from told me never to go above 120 psi for my DI tanks, and guess what I did??? You know, I never knew what it looked like inside those tanks until it bursted inside my trailer. That stuff is slippery. Like a trillion little tiny marbles man.

I think I must have slipped and fell 3 times inside that stupid trailer. I know I came out bleeding from my head somewhere…

anyhoot…yeah 90 PSI for the RO’s.

9

What type of system do you use, Andrew?

10

If you are using a RO system get the 5/8 hose to the RO system so you have maximum water flow. Then from the RO to the pole use 3/8 or even 1/4 hose to the pole. I think you said you are using DI only so the size of the hose is not tha important as DI does not restrict water flow. Hope this helps you

11

This calculator will give you an idea of the effects of hose size on pressure loss:

Hazen-Williams Equation - calculating Friction Head Loss in Water Pipes

12

Use the largest possible and then restrict it at the brush. I use a standard garden hose to the DI unit, 3/8ths from the unit to the brush, and 1/4 on the brush to the window.

13

Tory, you are one of the funniest window cleaners out there. You got some pretty funny stories. Thanks for my chuckle of the day.

14

Just now noticed your post Larry. Good question, I’ve always controlled the pressure before. I use a DI tank solo.

15

Well… thanks for all your help… got my rig plugged together i will post pictures later to show you my sweet setup (well, beginners setup)… but very proud of it :smiley:

16

I’ve read that pressure prior to RO is beneficial to the membrane. I asked because I was unsure what type of system you have – DI tanks should have a water regulator set to 45PSI prior.

17

So do i need to put water pressure regulator on supply line to the DI tank (i have 1 cubic feet tank) an set it on 45? Now i just have connected straight to the house